Question : AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

(a) whether the Union Government has reviewed the status of agricultural education in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the areas in which the country is lagging behind in agricultural education along with the proposals received from the State Governments in this regard;

(c) whether the Union Government has formulated any comprehensive scheme on the basis of the said proposals;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the funds allocated/earmarked/provided under the scheme for agricultural education?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a) & (b): The Planning Commission’s working group on Agricultural Research and Education for XII Plan had constituted a sub-group on Agricultural Education. Adequate State Funding, University governance, faculty strength and inbreeding, faculty and students development programmes, demand-driven curriculum and its delivery, quality assurance and modern infrastructure for education and research are the areas needing attention.

(c) & (d): Agriculture including higher agricultural education is a State subject. To the extent that funds are available, Central Government assists the State Agricultural Universities in certain select areas for strengthening and developing higher agricultural education in India.

(e) During the XI Plan, Rs.2033.37 crores has been provided to the different agricultural universities under the Plan scheme ‘Strengthening and Development of Higher Agricultural Education in India’.

XII Plan scheme formulation is in progress. An amount of Rs.558.00 crores has been provided by the Council for the year 2012-13.